SHINee's lead singer Jonghyun dies at 27

Kim Jong-hyun, otherwise known as Jonghyun of South Korean pop group SHINee, has died after being found unconscious in an apartment on Monday (18 December).

The 27-year-old was found unresponsive and rushed to Konkuk University Hospital, where he later died. Yonhap News reported that Jonghyun, SHINee’s main vocalist, was found at his residence in Cheongdam-dong in Seoul at 6pm Korean time, according a police briefing.

An object that looked like brown coal briquettes was burning on the frying pan, the police said. The police also said that Jonghyun’s older sister had earlier made a report, saying, “It seems like he committed suicide.”

In a later statement on Tuesday (19 December), the police ruled Jonghyun’s death a suicide, and said there would be no autopsy at the family’s request. A private funeral will be held on Thursday morning.

SHINee was formed by SM Entertainment in 2008, with Jonghyun, Minho, Key, Taemin and Onew making up the group. Having won numerous awards throughout the years, the group is sometimes referred to as the “Princes of K-Pop”.

Jonghyun and the other members of SHINee, excluding Onew, were recently in Singapore for the Shilla Beauty Concert in November.